Expander device for keeping an opening in food packaging open

Abstract

The invention relates to an expander device ( 100 ) for keeping a pouch opening ( 411 ) of a pouch ( 400 ) open. The expander device ( 100 ) comprises two elements ( 110, 120 ), of which each comprises an inner ring section ( 111, 121 ) and an outer section ( 112, 122 ). The two elements ( 110, 120 ) are rotatably connected to each other about a rotation axis (RA) in a scissor-like manner so that the inner ring sections ( 111, 121 ) together form a ring member ( 130 ) with a central opening ( 131 ), and so that, when viewed perpendicularly onto the central opening ( 131 ), the outer sections ( 112, 122 ) of the elements ( 110, 120 ) surround the inner ring sections ( 111, 121 ) of the other element ( 120, 110 ), respectively. The ring member ( 130 ) comprises an outer circumferential fitment section ( 132 ) that surrounds the central opening ( 131 ) and faces away from the central opening ( 131 ) so as to be fitted against an inner side surface ( 412 ) of the pouch opening ( 411 ). The ring member ( 130 ) is convertible between a collapsed position, in which the inner ring sections ( 111, 121 ) are angled to each other to span an angle α=α collapsed , and an expanded position, in which the inner ring sections ( 111, 121 ) span an angle α=α expanded with α collapsed <α expanded . The invention further relates to a package system ( 200 ) comprising the expander device ( 100 ) and a pouch ( 400 ), and to a method for use of said package system ( 200 ).

1 . An expander device for keeping a pouch opening of a pouch open, the expander device comprising two elements, wherein each of the two elements comprises an inner ring section and an outer section,
 the two elements are rotatably connected to each other about a rotation axis in a scissor-like manner so that the inner ring sections together form a ring member, by which a central opening is at least partially surrounded, and so that the outer sections of the elements at least partially surround the inner ring sections of the other element, respectively, when viewed perpendicularly onto the central opening,   the ring member comprises an outer circumferential fitment section that at least partially surrounds the central opening and faces away from the central opening so as to be fitted against an inner side surface of a circumferential rim section of the pouch opening, and   the ring member is convertible between a collapsed position, in which the inner ring sections are angled to each other to span an angle α=α collapsed , and an expanded position, in which the inner ring sections span an angle α=α expanded  with α collapsed <C expanded .   
     
     
         2 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the expanded position, the rotation axis penetrates an upper rim portion of the expander device or the ring member, and/or wherein, in the expanded position, the rotation axis penetrates the expander device adjacent to the fitment section. 
     
     
         3 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the expanded position, the ring member extends substantially within a plane, and/or wherein α expanded  is 180°. 
     
     
         4 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein, at least in the expanded position, the ring member or the outer circumferential fitment section extends in a circumferentially closed manner. 
     
     
         5 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer sections form together an outer ring member that at least partially surrounds the ring member and its central opening when viewed perpendicularly onto the central opening or in the expanded position, and/or
 the inner ring section and the outer section of each element form together a circumferentially closed profile.   
     
     
         6 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the expanded position, between the ring member or its fitment section on the one hand and the outer sections on the other hand, a gap for receiving the rim section. 
     
     
         7 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fitment section at least partially comprises an inhibiting feature. 
     
     
         8 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein, at least in the expanded position, the expander device, has a shape selected from the group consisting of round, circular, oval, square, rectangular, and polygonal shape. 
     
     
         9 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner ring section and the outer section of each element are formed separately or integrally with each other, wherein the inner ring section and the outer section are preferably formed by separate brackets. 
     
     
         10 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner ring section and the outer section of each element are connected to each other via a connection section, wherein the rotation axis crosses the connection section. 
     
     
         11 . A package system, comprising
 a pouch carrying a food product, and   an expander device for keeping a pouch opening of a pouch open, the expander device comprising two elements, wherein each of the two elements comprises an inner ring section and an outer section,   the two elements are rotatably connected to each other about a rotation axis in a scissor-like manner so that the inner ring sections together form a ring member, by which a central opening is at least partially surrounded, and so that the outer sections of the elements at least partially surround the inner ring sections of the other element, respectively, when viewed perpendicularly onto the central opening,   the ring member comprises an outer circumferential fitment section that at least partially surrounds the central opening and faces away from the central opening so as to be fitted against an inner side surface of a circumferential rim section of the pouch opening, and   the ring member is convertible between a collapsed position, in which the inner ring sections are angled to each other to span an angle α=α collapsed , and an expanded position, in which the inner ring sections span an angle α=α expanded  with α collapsed <α expanded  to be inserted, in the collapsed position of the ring member, at least with the fitment section into a pouch opening of the pouch to keep the pouch opening open by fitment of the fitment section against an inner side surface of a circumferential rim section of the pouch opening when the ring member is converted in the expanded position.   
     
     
         12 . The package system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a storage container having a container opening for receiving the pouch and the expander device. 
     
     
         13 . The package system according to  claim 11 , wherein, in the expanded position, the expander device presses the rim section towards or against a circumferential inner wall section of the storage container, preferably at or adjacent to the container opening. 
     
     
         14 - 15 . (canceled)